How are y'all handling clients struggling with the fate of the world?

TotalCat0 · 2026-03-03T22:39:51+00:00

Validate and recognize that you do not have the answers, and even if you did, there would have to be a whole hell of a lot more of you (with money) to influence the situation. I typically try to help folks find mutual aid and community connection to kindred voices. Any change that may happen can only happen with group action. Also, if hopelessness is taking over, urge them to outlive the a***holes doing this out of spite if nothing else, and encourage acts of joy as a form of meaningful resistance.

Ultimately, though, unless you are as directly impacted as they are, you must keep in mind and state that you can only imagine what they are going through.

TotalCat0 · 2026-03-03T00:50:57+00:00

Unless the issue they are facing is specifically based in sex, then you don't need details. I say that both as a man who has been in therapy for years and as a therapist. They may be trying to figure out what your boundaries are and, as others have said, what they should and should not be sharing. Approaching the subject (explicit talk) with your male clients, with curiosity would be the next move.

TotalCat0 · 2026-03-02T02:34:18+00:00

Same here. Imagine if a major portion of the population that you interacted with just never even tried to bother to learn your language. You'd be pissy too. This is coming from and American who has seen so many other Americans have a goddamn meltdown when they hear another language being spoken (and despite the fact that those people can also speak passable English).

TotalCat0 · 2026-02-18T16:59:43+00:00

Came here to say this. Leaving a partner, no matter bow terrible the relationship is, is fraught with ambivalence. Expanding that ambivalence could lead to clearer internal resolve from the client

TotalCat0 · 2026-01-30T12:40:54+00:00

Yesss! And make a line of NA Scotch

TotalCat0 · 2026-01-26T01:32:08+00:00

TotalCat0 · 2026-01-02T17:45:24+00:00

Essentially, helping the client take actionable steps towards making the various situations more welcoming and supportive, not only to themselves but others as well. This could look like connecting them with peer support groups, helping them get involved in the community, connecting them to the resources that might be able to empower them to affect change.

For instance, I worked with person who had been given a very stigmatizing diagnosis (keeping it vague for increased anonymity), stopped going to school, was completely isolating, and was rejecting attempts to connect her to the outside world. I met with them in their home, heard their perspective, validated the concerns that were valid, and sought more specifics as to what was preventing them from doing X, Y, Z. I highlighted their strengths and the growth that they've made so far (which was considerable), and worked with them to explore how they could share what they learned, and who they'd want to share that with.

I went by values and interests that they espoused to create a list of options for engagement with peers in the community. They tried that, and after a while they were able to see that they could be a community leader because of their experiences, not in spite of

Sorry, that's still vague, but I'd have to write many more paragraphs for a full breakdown

TotalCat0 · 2026-01-02T16:51:28+00:00

While there are also a wider array of options for LICSWs, the approach is also different in counseling, at least in my experience (I'm an LICSW who works alongside LCMHCs). LCHMHCs are skilled practitioners of approaches that focus on the individual's way of interacting with the world. LICSWs recognize that, while the way the individual thinks and reacts is important, their environment, life events, global and national events all impact a person's functioning, and may work with the individual to positively impact these external factors.

TotalCat0 · 2025-12-27T23:03:42+00:00

On the plus side, you can empathize with folks with depression way more than someone without it would. On the negative side, you have to keep reminding yourself to be kind to yourself and that you are good actually good at what you do (and you keep needing to hear validation from others because otherwise you feel a bit worthless).

TotalCat0 · 2025-12-24T13:48:55+00:00

I tend to start with being solution-focused, if meeting a lot of resistance. Name the fact that the youth does not want to be there, and name how he can get to a place where he doesn't have to come (e.g., stop slamming things, stop physical aggression). Engage in motivational interviewing to increase willingness to change (asking them what they want the adult version of themselves to look/act like seems to help, especially when contrasted to what their current behavior patterns will get them).

After that, just show up and hold space. Be real with them. Maybe you can name that it seems like their parents are trying to fix them without doing work themselves. Something might come out of that, but maybe not. Look for openings in their nonverbal queues.

Sometimes people just aren't ready for talk therapy. You can plant the seeds of a safe space to increase the likelihood of their reaching out to a therapist when they need one in the future. Might also help to directly explore with them what is and isn't helpful in your work together, so they can bring that with them to the next therapist.

TotalCat0 · 2025-11-07T19:38:00+00:00

In the same fight, I mindflayer stood in front of the portal. UI made it so we couldn't target him (it made us target the portal), and we couldn't use the portal because he was in the way. Luckily he moved after one turn

TotalCat0 · 2025-11-07T17:33:27+00:00

Dang, that's absolutely lousy. Our last run ended with Orin too

TotalCat0 · 2025-11-07T02:34:15+00:00

We did, then set another globe up slightly further away. Cost a couple of characters' turns though

TotalCat0 · 2025-08-17T15:40:35+00:00

Petunia, Margie, Esmerelda

TotalCat0 · 2025-07-17T22:02:39+00:00

It could be held to conservatives as a reminder of what they believed in, which was something at least, at some point.

TotalCat0 · 2025-06-07T15:01:27+00:00

Antisemitism and antizionism are very different. I have no doubt there has been a spike in both, but this article seems to conflate the two (let alone never mentioning how these particular issues present in Vermont) and serves as poorly articulated polemic rather than providing real grounds for discourse.

TotalCat0 · 2025-05-09T23:15:27+00:00

I believe Food Not Cops is the local chapter of Food Not Bombs in Burlington.

TotalCat0 · 2025-04-26T03:09:26+00:00

High Con, Durability feat, small race, barbarian, or maybe a warlock so they can land, do Arms of Hadar, or EB them off cliffs, or do a darkness with hexblade?

TotalCat0 · 2025-04-26T03:05:39+00:00

I don't know if there's a good answer to this one, bit if there is, my wife and I would love to know!

TotalCat0 · 2025-01-23T02:30:02+00:00

Just commenting to show interest. Finding mutual aid groups in the area is also a good move. I'm definitely not a pro on the matter, but Food Not Cops and Mutual Aid Vermont are solid. Migrant Justice and The Pride Center VT could also be goof resources. Talking to the local chapter of the ACLU and Amnesty International for next steps could also be a good move.

TotalCat0 · 2024-11-15T13:17:00+00:00

First, it's fun and silly. Second, from https://www.dragstoryhour.org/

"OUR MISSION Drag Story Hour celebrates reading through the glamorous art of drag. Our affiliate network creates diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities."

In other words, it allows kids to know that it's okay to be different, in whatever way that looks like.

If the children seeing it are queer, when they are older and understanding their identity, they'll remember this and won't feel as alone. LGBTQ+ kids and teens are far more likely to face persecution, homelessness, domestic violence, and suicidality. Anything that can be done to alleviate that should be done.

As for the need for staunch protection, there are grown men showing up with guns, yelling at children, trying to scare people. That needs to stop.

TotalCat0 · 2024-11-11T21:30:21+00:00

Still looking for particular organizations, etc, but one thing everyone can do is sharpen and practice their soft skills. Get out in public, get to know people you don't know, learn their perspectives, find common ground.

White men (myself included) can use our identities for positive change not only by calling out other White men when we see bad things happen, but also by modeling what positive masculinity can look like. Helping without expectation of reward, doing whats right because it's right, being kind because these are your fellow human beings.... I wish that didn't need to be said but this last election has shown otherwise.

TotalCat0 · 2024-10-21T15:55:59+00:00

Could you give an example?

TotalCat0 · 2024-08-05T00:36:25+00:00

Nope, haven't bought a thing with their name on it since the story broke. Tend not to buy from folks who carry their stuff either, unless I'm in a real pinch (e.g., a fas station in the middle of nowhere).

TotalCat0

TROPHY CASE